Wendy Babcock's Memorial & After Party Today

{cover of the Spring 2010 issue of McClung's}

Today there will be a memorial service and after party for Wendy Babcock. Both events will be in Toronto: the memorial will be held in Allen Gardens Park {@ Carlton & Sherbourne} from 6 to 8 pm and the after party will be held a Buddies in Bad Times Theater {12 Alexander Street} from 9 pm to 2 am.

Dinner will be serves at the memorial, and there is also parental/guardian supervised child care and play area available at the memorial.

The after party is for folks 19 and over, where there will be performers, DJs, and music.

Both events are free, but folks are encouraged to pay what they can at the after party as a donation contributing to a plaque and park bench to be placed in Allen Gardens in Wendy's honour.

There is also another way that you can contribute financially to a cause in Wendy's honour...

Taking a plunge for Wendy

Those close to Wendy Babcock say she would never have jumped out of an airplane. But on Sept 12 Babcock's friend Lia Grimanis says Babcock was by her side as Grimanis glided to the ground after a skydive north of Toronto.

Taped to her arm was a picture of the two women, taken during a recent dirt biking trip. “Here’s to Wendy!” Grimanis shouted after she landed her "honour jump" at the Parachute School.

Babcock, who was found dead Aug 9, was a passionate local advocate for sex workers and a prominent voice for trans rights across Canada. She was well known on Toronto’s frontlines, ensuring that the city’s most marginalized street people don’t fall through the cracks.

“I wish she was here to see me today,” Grimanis said, choking back tears in a video of the jump. “Wendy would never have gone skydiving with me. She was absolutely terrified of some of the things I do. I was her scariest, most badass friend.”

Like Babcock, Grimanis was once homeless after she fled an abusive home at a young age. She is now a successful Toronto businesswoman and daredevil adventurer. Grimanis runs Up With Women, a non-profit organization she started to help homeless women and children rebuild their lives.

Her skydive kicks off a campaign to raise $10,000 for the new Wendy Babcock education fund for homeless youth.

She says any donations made through Up With Women between Sept 12-30 will be matched up to $5,000. All funds raised will be donated to Eva’s Initiatives, the group administering the fund.

The rest of the article can be read over at xtra! You can make a donation to the Wendy Babcock education fund over here.

Sláinte!

Laurel